Mopping device, mopping system, and method of mopping

ABSTRACT

A mopping device and a mopping system include a fluid reservoir connectible to a cart for conveying the fluid reservoir, a fluid container configured to be at least partially refilled from the reservoir and to be connectable to a head of a mop, and a connector for providing fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluid container to allow fluid in the fluid reservoir to flow into the fluid container. The fluid container can be repeatedly refilled from the fluid reservoir to permit continued mopping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a mopping device, mopping system, and method ofmopping, and more particularly, to a refillable fluid supply for a mop.

2. Description of Related Art

In conventional mopping systems it is often desirable to be able toprovide cleaning fluid on the surface to be mopped or cleaned. Somesystems allow the mop to contain the desired cleaning fluid, whichallows for ready dispensing of the fluid. These mops, however, oftencontain a limited supply of fluid, which can be easily depleted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a mopping systemincludes a cart having rolling members to make the cart moveable, afluid reservoir connected to the cart, a mop having a handle and a head,a fluid container configured to be at least partially refilled from thereservoir and connected to the handle of the mop, and a connector forproviding fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluidcontainer to allow fluid in the fluid reservoir to flow into the fluidcontainer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a mopping deviceincludes a fluid reservoir connectible to a cart for conveying the fluidreservoir, a fluid container configured to be at least partiallyrefilled from the reservoir and to be connectable to a handle of a mop,and a connector for providing fluid communication between the fluidreservoir and the fluid container to allow fluid in the fluid reservoirto flow into the fluid container.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method ofmopping includes moving a cart having rolling members and a fluidreservoir to a mopping location, at least partially refilling a fluidcontainer with fluid from the fluid reservoir, dispensing fluid from thefluid container to a mopping location, and mopping at the moppinglocation with a mop having a handle and a head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a mopping system according tothe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional top shelf of a cart.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modified top shelf of a cart of amopping system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a fluid reservoir and a top of acart of the mopping system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of a cover on the mopping system of FIG.1.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a mop of the mopping systemof FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the mopping system of FIG. 1during refill.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of a mopping systemaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in thedrawings. An effort has been made to use the same or like referencenumbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.Described below are a mopping system, a mopping device, and a method ofmopping according to the present invention.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a mopping system 10 according tothe present invention includes a cart 20, a fluid reservoir 40 connectedto the cart 20, a mop 50, a fluid container 60 connected to the mop 50,and a connector 70 for providing fluid communication between the fluidreservoir 40 and the fluid container 60.

The cart 20 is preferably a moveable cart. For example, the cart 20 canhave rolling members 21, such as wheels, that allow it to be easilytransported. The cart 20 also could include a soft bag 30 for refusecollection and a shelf 31 for receiving a mop bucket (not shown) or abucket 80 for receiving mop pads (see FIG. 8).

The cart 20 can be, for example, a modified form of a conventionaljanitor cart. A janitor cart 20 often has three or more shelves forstoring the needed cleaning tools and supplies. For example, the cart 20can have a top shelf 22, a middle shelf 23, and a bottom shelf 24.According to the present invention, the conventional top shelf 22′(seeFIG. 2) having a recessed receiving surface 25′could be removed andreplaced with a modified top shelf 22 (see FIG. 3) having an opening 25in its center for accommodating the fluid reservoir 40. A supportportion 26 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) can be provided around the opening 25.The modified top shelf 22 preferably is closed on all four sides of theopening 25. The opening 25 can be square, round, or any other desiredconfiguration to accommodate the fluid reservoir 40 while still fittinginto the opening of the top shelf 22.

The fluid reservoir 40 can provide cleaning fluid (such as neutralcleaner or water) or other fluids, such as floor wax, for use inmopping. The fluid reservoir 40 preferably is connected to the cart 20.The fluid reservoir 40 can be integrally connected to the cart 20, butpreferably it is releasably connected to the cart 20. In such a case,the fluid reservoir 40 can be fitted within the opening 25 in the shelf22. In particular, the fluid reservoir 40 can have a return or oversizedtop portion 41 (see FIG. 4). This oversized top portion 41 has a largerwidth on at least some sides then a lower portion 42. This variation inwidth allows the fluid reservoir 40 to rest securely within the opening25 in the modified top shelf 22.

The fluid reservoir 40 can be designed to permit fluid flow out of thereservoir. For example, it may include a vent cap 43 that facilitatesfluid to flow out of the fluid reservoir 40 due to gravity. The vent cap43 may be part of a removable fill cap 44 that allows for easy fillingof the fluid reservoir 40. Alternatively, the fluid reservoir 40 mayinclude structure (not shown) that pressurizes the fluid to cause it toflow out of the fluid reservoir 40.

Preferably the fluid reservoir 40 has a percentage of its body (e.g.,approximately two thirds to three quarters) within the cart 20 yet notinterfering with or replacing existing storage spaces. Specifically, thefluid reservoir 40 can be disposed at a desired depth of approximately 4to 8 inches below the top surface of the modified top shelf 22, yet wellabove any tall items on the middle shelf 23. This depth could allow thefluid reservoir 40 capacity to be, for example, approximately 2 to 6gallons. The fluid reservoir 40 could extend further below the top ofthe modified shelf 22, but this could cause interference with storeditems on the cart's middle shelf 23.

The fluid reservoir 40 can have a recess 45 in its top surface to createa shelf. In this manner, the placement of the fluid reservoir 40 on thetop shelf 22 need not eliminate the commonly used top shelf 22′ of theconventional cart. The fluid reservoir 40 also can have handles 46 thatallow for easy gripping of the fluid reservoir.

The fluid reservoir 40 utilizes the cart's negative space by providingefficient integration of its form with the cart's structure. Thus, thefluid reservoir 40 need not increase the cart's overall footprint, neednot increase the cart's overall height, and need not interfere with tallspray bottles and paper products stored on the middle shelf 23.Integration of the fluid reservoir 40 where it utilizes the cart'snegative space does not take up existing storage space, allows forimproved fluid capacity, and provides maximized storage of all neededcleaning tools and supplies.

The fluid reservoir 40 preferably is configured so that it can belocked/secured to the cart 20, but also easily removed after unlockingto allow for manual filling and cleaning. A fluid reservoir 40 thatsecured to the cart 20 allows exposed chemicals on the cart 20 to besecured down or locked safely away from the public. A conventionalmechanism (not shown) could be used to releasably lock the fluidreservoir 40 to the cart 20.

The connector 70 provides fluid communication between the fluidreservoir 40 and the fluid container 60 to allow fluid in the fluidreservoir 40 to flow into the fluid container 60. The connector 70 caninclude, for example, a conventional valve 71 and a flexible tube 72.The valve 71 could be configured to allow the user to manually controlthe amount of fluid leaving the fluid reservoir 40 by gravity. Asanother alternative, the valve could be configured to control the flowof fluid that is pressurized.

The connector 70 could be located on any of the sides of the fluidreservoir 40. For demonstration purposes, the connector 70 in thedrawings is shown on the front end of the cart 20. Preferably, the valve71 is located away from the cart's shelf lip 73. Each shelf typicallyhas a lip to prevent the items from rolling or falling off the cart 20when the cart 20 is moved, for example, over thresholds in a commercialor public facility. The valve 71 can be properly located away from thecart's shelf lip for easy and safe filling of the flat mop handle.

As shown in FIG. 5, a cover 74 can be provided to extend over the recess45 that provides a shelf on the top surface of fluid reservoir 40. Thiscover 74 provides an additional measure of security.

The mop 50 can be, for example, an essentially conventional mop. Itshould have a head 51 and a handle 52. The head 51 preferablyaccommodates a conventional flat mop (not shown), though other typescould be used. The handle 52 preferably is configured to facilitatemovement of the head.

The fluid container 60 can be connected to the handle 52 to supply fluidto the mopping surface. The fluid container 60 can be connected to thehandle 52 in the sense of being formed by at least a portion of thehandle 52, as shown in FIG. 6. In this drawing, the walls 53 of thehandle 52 form the fluid container 60 in conjunction with a plug 54 anda connector 55. Alternatively, the fluid container 60 could be anentirely different structure mounted on the interior or the exterior ofthe handle 52. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, fluid container 60 canbe an external structure 65 mounted on the handle 52. In such aconfiguration, additional or reserve external structures 65 can bestored on that cart 20.

The fluid container 60 can provide the fluid to the mopping surface in aconventional manner. For example, the fluid container 60 may beconnected to a tube 56, which extends from the connector 55, through thewall 53, to a valve 57. A short tube 58 then connects the valve 57 to asprayer 59. When the valve 57 is opened, fluid can flow due to gravitydown through the tubes 56, 58, out of the sprayer 59, and onto a moppingsurface.

Preferably the fluid container 60 is configured to be at least partiallyrefilled from the fluid reservoir 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the plug 54can be removed from the top of the handle 52, and the flexible tube 72connected to the valve 71 can be connected to or placed into the handle52 to allow fluid to flow into the fluid container 60 upon actuation ofthe valve 71. After desired refill is complete, the tube 72 can beremoved and the plug 54 can be reinserted in the handle 52.

The mopping device according to the present invention can be a subset ofthe mopping system. For example, the mopping device may include only thefluid reservoir 40, the fluid container 60, and the connector 70 betweenthe fluid reservoir 40 and the fluid container 60.

A method of mopping according to the present invention can include, forexample, moving the cart 20 and its fluid reservoir 40 to a moppinglocation, at least partially refilling the fluid container 60 with fluidfrom the fluid reservoir 40, dispensing fluid from the fluid container60 to a mopping location, and mopping at the mopping location with themop 50. Preferably, mopping will occur at the mopping location beforethe fluid container 60 is refilled with fluid from the fluid reservoir40.

Thus, according to embodiments of the present invention, a moppingsystem, a mopping device, and mopping methods are provided. Otherembodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only.

1. A mopping system comprising: a cart having rolling members to makethe cart moveable; a fluid reservoir connected to the cart; a mop havinga handle and a head; a fluid container configured to be at leastpartially refilled from the reservoir and connected to the handle of themop; and a connector for providing fluid communication between the fluidreservoir and the fluid container to allow fluid in the fluid reservoirto flow into the fluid container.
 2. The mopping system of claim 1,wherein the cart has at least one shelf and the fluid reservoir isconnected to the shelf.
 3. The mopping system of claim 1, wherein thefluid container is disposed within the handle of the mop.
 4. The moppingsystem of claim 1, wherein the fluid container is connected to anexterior of the handle of the mop.
 5. The mopping system of claim 1,wherein the connector includes a valve for prohibiting and permittingflow of fluid.
 6. A mopping device comprising: a fluid reservoirconnectible to a cart for conveying the fluid reservoir; a fluidcontainer configured to be at least partially refilled from thereservoir and to be connectable to a handle of a mop; and a connectorfor providing fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and thefluid container to allow fluid in the fluid reservoir to flow into thefluid container.
 7. The mopping device of claim 6, wherein the fluidreservoir is configured to be connected to a shelf of the cart.
 8. Themopping device of claim 6, wherein the fluid container is configured tobe disposed within a handle of the mop.
 9. The mopping device of claim6, wherein the fluid container is configured to be connectable to anexterior of a handle of the mop.
 10. The mopping device of claim 6,wherein the connector includes a valve for prohibiting and permittingflow of fluid.
 11. A method of mopping, comprising the steps of: movinga cart having rolling members and a fluid reservoir to a moppinglocation; at least partially refilling a fluid container with fluid fromthe fluid reservoir; dispensing fluid from the fluid container to amopping location; and mopping at the mopping location with a mop havinga handle and a head.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising thestep of: mopping at the mopping location before at least partiallyrefilling the fluid container with fluid from the fluid reservoir.